Friday, April 10, 2015
The Cornwall
The Cornwall………!
The Easter holidays brought in a wonderful weather this time after months of cold and inclement climate and therefore a long awaited four day excursion was planned most enthusiastically.
Cornwall, the southwest limits of England was selected and the long journey began on Good Friday morning. An exquisite holiday resort in St. Minver holiday park at Wadebridge North Cornwall proved to be a mini-paradise by virtue of its simple yet elegant layout. The three bedroom villa was full of all amenities, exquisite in décor and taste. A sit-out in the verandah happened to be a desirable place for quiet contemplation amidst pleasant chirrup of a variety of birds, making one truly enthralled and introvert; indeed an ideal place to be one with oneself!
Places worth visiting were already identified. In fact, Cornwall is replete with huge gardens, some known while some re-discovered! Indeed, one is famous by name “The lost gardens of Heligan”!
This sprawling place inhabits a large variety of flora and fauna, brooks, waterfalls, huge trees, hillocks, hanging bridges and what not! It’s amazing (and exasperating too, indeed inexhaustibly exhausting! ) However, one is almost forced to sing aloud, a song that just erupts from one’s inner conscience, ( Dil se!). Just as “Maanzee Geet” is unique while rowing or “Ovee” while grinding grain over hand mill, song is always in the air, be it a jungle, garden, lakeside or river. (I could witness a group of girls singing in chorus spontaneously at the ‘Land’s End” at the Oceanside). Well, it was a marvellous experience, trudging the length and breadth (and uphill and downhill) terrain of that ‘lost garden of Heligan at Saint Austell !
A ride up to the Tintagel castle over rocks on the Oceanside was thrilling, nay, hair-raising because of the serpentine route, unexpected blind corners, steep culverts and bends and indeed stringent test of driving skills! The Castle was spectacular perhaps ( must have been, since we didn’t venture up that height), although the beech and huge cave underneath was supremely magnificent. Cold and harsh winds were certainly unbearable.
We had a sumptuous meal at the restaurant and tasted the famous Cornish pastie. (It was like a big Samosa filled with potatoes, vegetables and Cheese). As it is, I like both Samosa and Cheese and so I relished it with gusto!
Another ride up to the Rock Beach was an exercise in futility since I was extremely tired and the children were forced to drop us two at the resort.
However, the last day of the trip was extremely fascinating again, since we visited two landmark destinations- the “Minack Theatre at Portcurno and the “Land’s End”.
The Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one extraordinary woman Rowena Cade in 1932, where the stage was a single grass terrace when the first performance took place. ‘Minack’ means a rocky place in the Cornish language. This spectacular, world famous open air opera theatre is situated on the rocks just adjoining the Atlantic Ocean. Oh! It’s a marvellous sight, a lifetime experience, breathtaking indeed! Everything is rock here- the stage, green room, changing room, seats for the audience (except the spectators and performing artists !) We were indeed fortunate to witness a ‘live’ performance, which takes place just once a month. The performing artist was presenting a comic parody of some Shakespearean drama or some such and involving the audience too in the process. Although not very fascinating, the overall milieu was indeed superb. The backdrop of the serene, gigantic Atlantic was overwhelming, exceptionally calming, balming and soothing; the lush green banks with exquisite beaches far away on the left, the greenish blue colours of infinite waters touching horizon; no, the skies above, making you wonder which began or ended where! A mild cool breeze and delightful bright sunshine! What a wonderful feeling indeed! Most enchanting, charming, tintinabulating; throwing yourself deep into your own bosoms, the longest journey ever! It is just impossible to overcome the joy, peace and tranquility experienced there!
A short drive took us to the Land’s End, where the Ocean takes over. It’s a popular ‘tourist’ spot, which nobody would ever like to miss! It seems America is just a long shout away and so the shops and eateries fancy themselves the American way. (In keeping with the American tradition to do everything contrary to British or normal norms, the toilets are just at the entrance of the complex!!)
Quick photo sessions, another bite into Cornish Pastie and a long look at the magnificent ocean brought us back on British soil and we began homeward journey fully refreshed although physically tired, ruminating and reminiscing wonderful time spent with family and friends, girdling for yet more of such overwhelming experience!!!
Jai Sairam!
London. 8 April 2015.
The Easter holidays brought in a wonderful weather this time after months of cold and inclement climate and therefore a long awaited four day excursion was planned most enthusiastically.
Cornwall, the southwest limits of England was selected and the long journey began on Good Friday morning. An exquisite holiday resort in St. Minver holiday park at Wadebridge North Cornwall proved to be a mini-paradise by virtue of its simple yet elegant layout. The three bedroom villa was full of all amenities, exquisite in décor and taste. A sit-out in the verandah happened to be a desirable place for quiet contemplation amidst pleasant chirrup of a variety of birds, making one truly enthralled and introvert; indeed an ideal place to be one with oneself!
Places worth visiting were already identified. In fact, Cornwall is replete with huge gardens, some known while some re-discovered! Indeed, one is famous by name “The lost gardens of Heligan”!
This sprawling place inhabits a large variety of flora and fauna, brooks, waterfalls, huge trees, hillocks, hanging bridges and what not! It’s amazing (and exasperating too, indeed inexhaustibly exhausting! ) However, one is almost forced to sing aloud, a song that just erupts from one’s inner conscience, ( Dil se!). Just as “Maanzee Geet” is unique while rowing or “Ovee” while grinding grain over hand mill, song is always in the air, be it a jungle, garden, lakeside or river. (I could witness a group of girls singing in chorus spontaneously at the ‘Land’s End” at the Oceanside). Well, it was a marvellous experience, trudging the length and breadth (and uphill and downhill) terrain of that ‘lost garden of Heligan at Saint Austell !
A ride up to the Tintagel castle over rocks on the Oceanside was thrilling, nay, hair-raising because of the serpentine route, unexpected blind corners, steep culverts and bends and indeed stringent test of driving skills! The Castle was spectacular perhaps ( must have been, since we didn’t venture up that height), although the beech and huge cave underneath was supremely magnificent. Cold and harsh winds were certainly unbearable.
We had a sumptuous meal at the restaurant and tasted the famous Cornish pastie. (It was like a big Samosa filled with potatoes, vegetables and Cheese). As it is, I like both Samosa and Cheese and so I relished it with gusto!
Another ride up to the Rock Beach was an exercise in futility since I was extremely tired and the children were forced to drop us two at the resort.
However, the last day of the trip was extremely fascinating again, since we visited two landmark destinations- the “Minack Theatre at Portcurno and the “Land’s End”.
The Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one extraordinary woman Rowena Cade in 1932, where the stage was a single grass terrace when the first performance took place. ‘Minack’ means a rocky place in the Cornish language. This spectacular, world famous open air opera theatre is situated on the rocks just adjoining the Atlantic Ocean. Oh! It’s a marvellous sight, a lifetime experience, breathtaking indeed! Everything is rock here- the stage, green room, changing room, seats for the audience (except the spectators and performing artists !) We were indeed fortunate to witness a ‘live’ performance, which takes place just once a month. The performing artist was presenting a comic parody of some Shakespearean drama or some such and involving the audience too in the process. Although not very fascinating, the overall milieu was indeed superb. The backdrop of the serene, gigantic Atlantic was overwhelming, exceptionally calming, balming and soothing; the lush green banks with exquisite beaches far away on the left, the greenish blue colours of infinite waters touching horizon; no, the skies above, making you wonder which began or ended where! A mild cool breeze and delightful bright sunshine! What a wonderful feeling indeed! Most enchanting, charming, tintinabulating; throwing yourself deep into your own bosoms, the longest journey ever! It is just impossible to overcome the joy, peace and tranquility experienced there!
A short drive took us to the Land’s End, where the Ocean takes over. It’s a popular ‘tourist’ spot, which nobody would ever like to miss! It seems America is just a long shout away and so the shops and eateries fancy themselves the American way. (In keeping with the American tradition to do everything contrary to British or normal norms, the toilets are just at the entrance of the complex!!)
Quick photo sessions, another bite into Cornish Pastie and a long look at the magnificent ocean brought us back on British soil and we began homeward journey fully refreshed although physically tired, ruminating and reminiscing wonderful time spent with family and friends, girdling for yet more of such overwhelming experience!!!
Jai Sairam!
London. 8 April 2015.
